How do I use wildcard and truncation symbols when searching?
Truncation allows you to search for different variations on the same word but replacing the final characters of a word with a symbol. For example, searching for universit* would find both university and universities.
Wildcards allow you to search for multiple variations of a word at once by substituting one or more characters with a symbol. For example, searching for wom#n would find both woman and women.
The asterisk (*) has become the most common truncation symbol used at the end of a root term for most databases For example - medic* = medic, medication/s medical/s, medically, medicine/s etc..
However, there are differences across platforms in which symbols are used for wildcards and truncation, so it is important that you use the correct ones for the platform you are using.
It is important to check which database platforms use which symbols. Guidance on Truncation and Wildcard can usually be found in the database platform’s help pages.
If there are any variants in these symbols present in your search tables or search histories, it is advisable that you indicate this to ensure that there is no doubt over their correct usage.
You may or may not have seen the online resources on the Systematic Review Guide and the Specialist Library Support pages for Advanced Searching. These pages give guidance on many of the medical and human sciences database platforms and help with starting your research.
